GUIDE ON NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE IN TANZANIA

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is the ultimate in self-indulgent fantasy accommodation in Ngorongoro (read more on where else to stay), and the winner of several accolades for luxury holiday accommodation in Africa. A complex of dream-like thatched rondavels on stilts overlooks the largest open volcanic basin in the world. Pampered beyond your dreams by attentive andBeyond staff, surrounded by carved wood paneling, red roses, chandeliers and all the icons of luxury, you are still in a Maasai mud hut (albeit an incredibly spacious one with rococo furnishings) where elephant and zebra wander only yards from your windows. Set in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tanzania, this exclusive luxury lodge enjoys spectacular views of the cauldron-like crater with its wide-flung contents of golden grass plains, green forest, and azure central lake. It is accessed by air or road from Arusha via Manyara. From there, a game-spotting drive with AfricanMecca Safaris takes you to the door. The crater is home to over 30,000 mammals, mainly ungulates in herds a thousand strong, several prides of lions, massive ancient elephant with impressive ivory tusks unseen elsewhere and an ever increasing populating of black rhino. Outside the crater, pursuing the theme of man in harmony with nature on Tanzanian cultural safaris, the area supports Maasai villages and tourist accommodation for those enthusiasts who seek a cultural twist to their wilderness experience almost unobtainable in the modern world.

Accommodation At Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Three separate camp grounds combine traditional Maasai design elements in crescents of 30 round Manyatta (traditional Maasai homestead) huts, like those traditionally built by women from red mud and sticks, with opulent French Empire furnishings and Colonial standards of service. Add a touch of whimsy and ethnic Africa to the mixture in a panoramic setting of breathless wonder and you have the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Safari experience. The lodge itself is a photogenic treasure of unexpected architectural imagination surrounded by wildlife that typifies travel in Africa. In all, 60 guests may be accommodated. All suites stand on stilts and have vaulted ceilings of woven banana leaves under thatched roofs. North and South camps each comprise 12 double or triple suites with hardwood paneled floors and walls, silk brocade sofas, raw silk drapes, ormolu mirrors, leather armchairs, Persian hearth rug in front of a blazing fireplace, butler’s lobby, sumptuous bathroom with chandelier, warm, elegant bedroom and private verandah. Amazing views are visible from every room, even from the stand-alone bath. Tree camp comprises only six smaller suites suitable for couples and honeymooners on safari with AfricanMecca. Service and amenities are of the standard you expect of a premium luxury accommodation, with your own butler for whom nothing is too much trouble. Welcoming gifts of boxes of fudge, a decanter of sherry and center-piece of roses in the bathroom are a prelude to the luxury of hot, foaming baths afloat with rose-petals. Massages in-room and child-minding services are available. Housekeeping and laundry are impeccable. Both electricity and hot water are available all round the clock. Telephone and Internet services are available from the main lodge where there is also a safari boutique.

Safari At Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Of course, the main reason anyone makes a trip to Ngorongoro Crater on safari vacation in Tanzania is to revel in the incredible game population on the crater floor. This is best enjoyed on an early morning game viewing drive in customized 4x4 vehicles with pop-up roofs for unobstructed all-round vision. Your skilled, knowledgeable and experienced AfricanMecca guide will take you down 2,000 feet from the unbroken caldera rim, through hanging rain forest to where the action is. There is no dearth of spectacle on the plains, from vast herds of bearded wildebeest and zebra, with attendant predatory lions and lightning fast cheetahs, to majestic elephants, flightless ostriches and strutting secretary birds. Handsome serval cats and comical warthog join the cast of your own African safari epic. In the marshes, you will see pods of hippopotamus sometimes wading ashore wearing green shawls of swamp vegetation and weed. Buffalo and waterbuck also thrive here. Elusive leopards and predator-alarm sounding monkeys can be spotted in the amazing fever tree forest whilst migratory pink flamingo and other water fowl paddle in the central lake. The entire biosphere is filled with wonders enough to satiate any avid photographer, thrill seeker, dedicated conservationist, adventurer or specialist bird-watcher. On returning to the lodge after your six-hour Ngorongoro Crater tour, you may be entertained by athletic Maasai tribesmen in their scarlet cloaks, dancing and singing evocatively as they demonstrate what their homeland means to them. Another highlight of any tour to Africa, most times on route to the Serengeti, is a visit to nearby Olduvai Gorge, the home of prehistoric man. Whatever you do will convince you that if you want a predictable existence, you should stay at home. If you really want to live, splash out on a tour to Tanzania.

Dining At Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

After early morning tea is brought to your room, you may have breakfast in a stylish, domed dining room with five fireplaces where floor to ceiling windows allow for spectacular unobstructed Ngorongoroviews of sunrise over the magical, misty crater rim. English and continental breakfasts and lunches are available on site, or bush meals can be arranged at a viewpoint on the crater floor if a late morning departure is request for your trip in Ngorongoro Crater with AfricanMecca. Afternoon tea and biscuits may be served in your room or sundowner cocktails on your balcony while you watch the changing colors of the sky as shadows advance across the crater floor. Separate tables set with white linen, silver, crystal, and outsize wooden platters offer romantic candle-lit dining. The chef ascertains your choices in advance. Menus include light soups followed by fish, poultry or meat, salads and cooked vegetables, all freshly sourced from local communities and lovingly prepared. Vegetarian choices are also offered. These are accompanied by fruit juices or an international wine list. Freshly made desserts, cheeseboard, choice of Tanzanian coffees, and fine spirits or liqueurs round off the meal.

ZANZIBAR ISLAND & BEACH GUIDE

Jambo Raza, The safari trip in Tanzania was terrific - Ngorongoro and Serengeti. Our guide, Rodgers is a gem - smart, funny, knowledgeable and always interested in us and our journey. Great guy. We would all recommend your group to our friends.

Robert J Hartman, Esq - Minnesota, United States

AfricanMecca's professionalism and care understands that what distinguishes Africa is its authenticity, the land, people and wildlife who do not share our world of fashion and fanfare that distinguish so many travel companies today.

I can't thank AfricanMecca Safaris and everybody that I met as part of my African Safari enough for the most incredible and unforgettable vacation of my life. The lodge at Ngorongoro Crater and Kirawira Camp in the Serengeti were magnificent.

Dr Edda Gomez-Panzani - California, United States

I booked my safari holiday through AfricanMecca. They were the most helpful company I have ever dealt with and I work within the travel industry. I had the most amazing time. The holiday went as clockwork with no hitches anywhere.

Shelley Roberts - Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom

The AfricanMecca Safari experience was great. All the connections were spot on and the lodges and camps were great - 1st class. The safaris were great with the time spent in Ngorongoro totally outstanding. We just totally loved it, a great experience.

Bruce and Susie Ironside - New Zealand

We took our decision on an extended and complex safari through AfricanMecca Safaris. They did a flawless job across the board. We traveled through Zanzibar (fantastic) Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti without a hitch.

AfricanMecca Safaris created a remarkable honeymoon tailored to our interests and desires. The quality of service and delivery of experience was unsurpassed. I highly recommend AfricanMecca Safaris to honeymooners, families, or any traveler.

Noorin & Jason Nelson - Maryland, United States

Raza - I have to congratulate you. We had an absolutely wonderful trip - lifetime for me. All of your personnel in Africa were pleasant, positive. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge were incredibly beautiful and luxurious and Kusini Camp – Serengeti.

Mike and Ann Rosenblum - Illinois, United States

When staying at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in Ngorongoro Crater (Rim & Forest Areas), we recommend combining your safari with a visit to Serengeti, Tarangire & Lake Manyara. You may optionally extend out to Southern Tanzania, and experience the off-beat wilderness areas of Ruaha & Selous ending with a beach vacation and Swahili cultural tour in the exotic spice island of Zanzibar.